Reflection on New Models: Outdoor and Nature Related Programs

I found the idea of libraries creating more outdoor and nature related programs interesting so I decided to look into it more and find the positives and ideas libraries have been trying lately. 

Libraries could follow the Nature Library project Anythink libraries worked on with the City of Thornton. As mentioned in the article, these outdoor programs allow people to focus on the health and wellness of their community as well as allow them to appreciate the fresh air and big space the great outdoors has to offer. 

Libraries can also bring nature inside the library (Public Awareness and Advocacy Committee, 2022) by bringing in plants or nature elements to their patrons, and designing activities observing them. One of the ideas suggested by this article is seed exploration where you can take seeds from different fruits and have kids match them with the fruit they came from. 

The library is becoming a space where kids, teens, and adults can move around, explore, and get some fresh air. The library can be a great place to be informed about the wonders of nature and interact with the environment. I also thought about how librarians can take advantage of this opportunity to display books about nature whenever outdoor events and programs occur. Having more outdoor activities allows people to move around more and bringing nature inside allows people to interact with nature more. Either way, patrons will become more connected with the outdoors, even if they’re inside! 

References:

Anythink Libraries. Anythink announces Nature library in partnership with City of Thornton.https://www.anythinklibraries.org/news-item/anythink-nature-library?fbclid=IwAR2DgO-k8nU6kNUODo7vTlRXKiEiYSoSeQMC8Aq0QnoLMZoT3d-QKpbSl5M  

Public Awareness and Advocacy Committee. (2022, October 27). It’s only natural! Bringing the outdoors in to the library. ALSC Blog. https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2022/10/its-only-natural-bringing-the-outdoors-in-to-the-library/